Business leaders are calling for a former seaside hotel to be knocked down ahead of the summer season.

Hopes were high that the derelict Shannocks in Sheringham, which has stood empty on High street for more than 10 years, would be demolished to make way for another building last year.

But the prominent eyesore is still standing and the Sheringham Chamber of Trade and Commerce does not want to wait until next winter.

Chamber secretary Andy Bullen said: “At a committee meeting we were extremely disappointed to be told that nothing will done with the Shannocks hotel this winter.

“North Norfolk District councillor (NNDC) for Sheringham, Dick Shepherd said that nothing will probably happen until the autumn at the earliest.

“It’s impacting on the town, as it’s in a prime spot. The town council is trying to come up with a development plan, and wants to make that area more pedestrian-friendly. We want to get this moving. Everybody in Sheringham is fed-up with it.”

Mr Shepherd said: “Retailers are up in arms about it, but looking at it practically, no work will be carried out over easter and summer.”

An NNDC spokesman said: “We are not aware of any reason to suggest nothing will happen on site until the winter. We are continuing to work with the owners to come forward with their demolition notice.

“As we have previously said, if the owner does not make satisfactory progress, the council will progress with making the Compulsory Purchase Order for the property. However, CPO is by definition, a last resort.”

Beeston Regis-based Huddies Ltd received planning permission to redevelop the hotel site in October 2017.

In its planning application, it stated that it “wishes to demolish the Shannocks as soon as possible” and said it was fully committed to the site.

The council has been in a long-running battle with Huddies over the future of the former hotel, which was built around the turn of the 20th century,

It took the company to court in 2016 for failing to comply with a notice to improve the run-down building.

Huddies was unavailable for comment.

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